'Town has 8,000 new jobs' claim as candidates clash

SCHOOLS, hospitals and Government spending cuts were the major issues discussed as parties clashed in a pre-election debate.

Five candidates for the Newark by-election, on June 5, told around 150 guests at Southwell's Minster School of their priorities if elected.

They were Robert Jenrick, for the Conservatives, David Kirwan, of the Green Party, Labour's Michael Payne, David Watts, from the Liberal Democrats, and UKIP's Roger Helmer.

Mr Kirwan raised concerns over health provision and the distance some kids were travelling to school. "It's been really disappointing over the last few years watching my nephew and niece having to go out of town to get a decent education and patients waiting 45 minutes for health care.

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"The Green party is more than just an environmental party and we are trying for a fairer tax system and invest millions from richer people's tax into services."

Labour's Michael Payne said he would be an active voice for Newark in parliament. "I believe this constituency deserves someone that will stand up for them and not just talk about the big issues but vote on them too," he said.

"Cuts to Newark Hospital and the Government selling off the East Coast Mainline are not fair and previous MPs have let the constituents down."

Robert Jenrick defended the Government when asked why poorer people were paying for the economic crises caused by some of the most wealthy.

"There are 8,000 more jobs in Newark than there were in 2010," he said. "The country is in recovery and we have had to take some tough decisions.

Liberal Democrat candidate David Watts was applauded when he said: "It's morally wrong that the sixth largest economy in the world sees people relying on food banks."

He struck a chord with Southwell voters who had been subject to flood damage in recent summers. "My house flooded last year and I've seen my life float away so I know what that's like and I promise that if you elect me I will work for good flood defences."

UKIP's Roger Helmer piggy-backed his party's gains in the recent local elections and drew on his experience as a former Tory MP. "I'm the only candidate with parliamentary experience," he said. "The results we've seen in the local elections were rightly described by our leader as a political earthquake. If we stop giving £55 million a day to Europe, we can spend more on services like schools and hospitals."

Before the debate, independent candidate Paul Baggaley spoke to voters because he was not invited to the Hustings. Organisers said only parties with elected representatives on either the Parliament or European Parliament could sit on the panel.